The initial chapter of The Events at Branxbourne is one of the best, if not the very best, I’ve ever read! It is gripping, profound and heartbreaking… we don’t know how Elizabeth got to the point she is in this chapter, but we want to know! We want to know everything and we can’t stop reading until we do!

The events at Branxbourne take place in 1817 with an older version of Darcy and Elizabeth, who have changed due to the circumstances of live, but who remain the same in essentials. I always love to read books with older versions of these characters and Ms. William’s did not disappoint while developing them, she changed what had to be changed to be consistent with the plot, but kept true to Austen’s work giving us a story of second chances and hope for the lost love.

We don’t know exactly what happened after the Hunsford proposal because the events are only revealed later in the book, what we do know is that Elizabeth is now married to another man, Mr. Darcy remains single and they are neighbors in London which will obviously cause them to meet quite often.

When these characters reunite, they know there is no longer any hope for them, but that is not enough to erase a love as strong as theirs and they find themselves drawn to one another. With each encounter their feelings grow and even if this is an angsty book with a darker side, the reader will find many romantic moments between these characters which will become addictive. We keep hoping for the next moment to see what will happen, what they will say or even what they will not say. It is tantalizing!

The chapters shift between Darcy’s and Elizabeth’s POV which is an interesting approach because not only it intensifies the curiosity and interest towards the story but also because it allows us to get to know both characters better. It makes the book dynamic and it helps keeping the tone of it mysterious, dark and intense.

The secondary characters deserve a shout out too, namely Albert and Colonel Fitzwilliam. Not only they had an interesting story of their own, but their interactions with the main characters made this book a stout literary work. I enjoyed to see the openness and sincerity in the Colonel’s relationship with Darcy and the strange but evolutive relationship between Albert and Elizabeth. A few other characters like the flower girl are worth mentioning but my favourites were definitely these two.

The premise in this book is certainly different, but it’s not just that that grabs our attention from the beginning, it is Caitlin Williams’ writing. Her writing is exquisite, it is the kind of writing that is not taught, either authors have it or they don’t, and with a book that is this memorable and poignant Caitlin William has proven that she is an author born with an incredible talent. The writing in this book reminded me of the tone in Death of a Bachelor in The Darcy Monologues and is memorable!

With a magnetic pull that kept me emotionally invested from the first paragraph until the last one, The Events at Branxbourne is the best book I’ve read this year. It should not, and it cannot be missed. I highly recommend it to readers looking for a quality romance novel and I would give it 10 stars if I could!

The blog tour is almost over but there is still one extra stop at Mira’s Blog Obsessed With Mr. Darcy, don’t forget to visit it to see what she thinks of this book and for an additional entry on the giveaway.

For such a powerful book I had to have a powerful review Claudine 🙂 I did my best and still it feels I didn’t do it justice! It is just that good! No matter how many times I write it, it always feels it is not enough to tell people how good it is.

Beautiful post. This sounds amazing. Thanks Rita for hosting and this lovely review. It was so gripping. I will have to get myself into gear and read this. It is on my wish-list. Thanks to Caitlin for the generous give-a-way… OMG! That is amazing. I can only wish you much success on this launch.

What a lovely review Rita. I do have this book and am waiting for time to read it as from what I’ve read about it I won’t be able to stop after I start. It seems as if it will be quite an angsty book but I do love Caitlin’s writing so I had to have it regardless.

Definitely Glynis, even if this is an angstier book with a darker side you will not be able to put it down once you start. You’ll read it in one day I’m sure. And I do think you’ll love it. It’s not a light book but it does have a lot of romance between D&E and it is so intense, the writing soooo good… I know you’ll lie it 🙂

This book sounds so amazing, I can’t wait to read it. It’s at the top of my wish list. I’m thinking I can carve out the time this weekend. Caitlin’s writing is just right up there with my top drawer faves, it’s that good.

Thanks so much for being part of the blog tour, Rita. I am thrilled, relieved and embarrassed in equal measure by such a glowing review.

I love this story and have been wanting to write it for years, but I was nervous about how it would be received as it is quite dark and has been described as gothic. Thankfully, the response has been largely positive.

I have read Caitlin’s other books and although I am somewhat reluctant about the angst of Elizabeth being in an unhappy marriage, I don’t think I could resist it, given the glowing praise this book has received. Thanks for the review and the giveaway opportunity!

I loved this book from the first lines. I’ve said it before; it should come with a warning: UNPUTDOWNABLE. True, this has darker themes with Darcy and Elizabeth a few years later having gone down different paths from canon. I love how Caitlin expertly wends them back together and we feel every moment to reach that hard-won Happily ever after. This is a story Caitlin said she had to tell, and I am so glad she had the courage to take the risk.

I love angst and this story was a perfect blend of angst and romance in a love story of Darcy and Elizabeth, even though she is married to another man at the beginning of the tale. However, as Christina said, allow a lot of time or you will be up to the early hours of the next day as you won’t be able to put it down. Great review and excellent story.

Wow!! What a review!! ‘It should not and cannot be missed’!!!
What an endorsement! This book is getting rave reviews and I can’t wait to read it!!
I’ve no idea how Darcy and Lizzy are going to get themselves out of this sad and seemingly hopeless situation. I’m assuming there’s a HEA that I’m eagerly anticipating!!!

What an amazing review, Rita. Caitlin’s story “Death of a Bachelor” was the perfect way to kick off The Darcy Monologues, wasn’t it? Her writing there was, to me, quite sublime and I don’t often use terms like that. If this new book is comparable to that then I can understand yours, and everyone else’s, enthusiasm. If I’m lucky enough to win the exceedingly generous giveaway prize, The Events at Branxbourne will be the first book I buy, possibly even in paperback as I love that cover picture so much.